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A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
Technology-Facilitated Sexual Victimization: Correlates and Outcomes Among Emerging Adults
Belén Rogowski1, Sarah J Harsey2, Hannah McEntarffer1
1Department of Psychological Sciences, Northern Arizona University.
Journal of Sex Research
|May 28, 2026
Summary
Technology-facilitated sexual victimization (TFSV) is common among emerging adults and strongly linked to in-person sexual victimization. TFSV experiences significantly increase the risk of severe posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Criminology
- Public Health
Background:
- Technology-facilitated sexual victimization (TFSV) encompasses digital solicitation, nonconsensual media sharing, and sexual extortion.
- TFSV is increasingly prevalent among emerging adults, yet its overlap with in-person victimization and impact on PTSD remain understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the co-occurrence of TFSV and in-person sexual victimization.
- To examine the association between TFSV experiences and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in undergraduate students.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional online survey was administered to 735 undergraduate students.
- TFSV and in-person sexual victimization experiences were assessed.
- PTSD symptom severity was evaluated in a subsample of 284 participants.
Main Results:
- 75% of participants reported at least one lifetime TFSV experience.
- TFSV experiences showed a strong positive correlation with in-person sexual victimization (r > 0.70).
- TFSV was uniquely associated with more severe PTSD symptoms, comparable in magnitude to in-person victimization.
Conclusions:
- TFSV is a significant public health concern, frequently co-occurring with in-person sexual victimization.
- TFSV experiences independently predict increased PTSD symptom severity.
- Clinical assessment of TFSV is crucial for identifying individuals needing mental health interventions.
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